Recognizing the Symptoms of Mesothelioma After Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a term given to identify a group of naturally occurring minerals that are comprised of long, thin fibers. These minerals are very heat resistant and thus were commonly used in man-made insulators, and they are also highly fire-resistant, so they were used in many applications as heat retardation and insulation in industrial and even residential applications for many years. When the asbestos fibers get into the body they can lead to a dangerous health condition known as mesothelioma.
“Symptoms of mesothelioma can often be confused with the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, it is important to know the potential signs of mesothelioma, especially if you have a history of being exposed to asbestos. By recognizing symptoms right away, mesothelioma patients have a better chance of receiving an early diagnosis, which can improve overall prognosis and life expectancy. Mesothelioma can take a long time to develop, and the symptoms of the disease often do not present themselves until the cancer has progressed to later stages. Early signs of mesothelioma can be easily mistaken for common, everyday ailments, and as a result, early symptoms are often ignored, dismissed, or misdiagnosed. Symptoms can also vary significantly based on the type of mesothelioma a person has. The table below provides an overview of the most common signs and symptoms of late-stage mesothelioma based on the location of the tumors” (Mesothelioma Symptoms).
Symptoms to Watch Out For
Mesothelioma is a very rare and specific form of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, a tissue that lines the organs of the body. There are several common types that can be caused by asbestos exposure- pleural, which affects the lungs; peritoneal, which affects the abdomen; and pericardial, which affects the heart. As many as 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pleural types. Here are the major symptoms that can be noticed in the majority of cases:
Pleural Symptoms
- Fatigue- being tired and unenergetic
- Dyspnea- difficulty breathing
- Hoarseness- los of voice or change in voice
- Hypoxemia- low oxygen levels in the blood
- Dysphagia- difficulty swallowing
- Fever/night sweats- spikes in body temperature
- Pleural effusion- fluid buildup in lungs and chest
Peritoneal Symptoms
- Nausea- queasy stomach and inability to eat
- Weight loss- sudden and unexplained
- Anemia- lack of iron and red blood cells
- Thrombosis- blood clots
- Peritoneal effusion – fluid buildup
- Fever- elevation in body temperature
- Hypoglycemia- low blood sugar
Pericardial Symptoms
- Arrhythmia- irregular heartbeat/palpitations
- Chest pain- tightness, pressure, and cramps
- Fever- spikes in body temperatures
- Coughing- severe congestions and coughing
- Dyspnea- shortness of breath or shallow rapid breathing
Contact Us For More Information
Many people end up being exposed to asbestos and differing the effects of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other conditions because of their work environments and the conditions they had to work in day in and day out for years. Our law firm has decades of experience fighting for our clients in a range of personal injury lawsuits as well as workplace related lawsuits such as asbestos exposure cases. Many different types of professions have been connected in some way to asbestos exposure or the development of one of the three types of mesothelioma disease. So, call us today and let us review your case and help you fight for the compensation you deserve!